Thinking about migrating to NSW under the Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) or Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) visa?
NSW offers a fantastic opportunity for highly skilled professionals to contribute to the state’s economy. Here's a quick overview of what you need to know about NSW nomination under both visa subclasses:
Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated Visa)
A points-tested permanent visa for individuals whose occupation aligns with the NSW Skills List.
Key points:
- You cannot apply directly for NSW nomination—you must be invited by the NSW Govt.
- Your occupation must fall under an ANZSCO unit group identified on the NSW Skills List
- Meeting basic eligibility like residency (in NSW or offshore for 6 months) and a valid skills assessment is crucial.
- NSW holds invitation rounds throughout the financial year. Invitations are based on factors like age, education, and work experience.
Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional Visa)
A points-tested provisional visa allowing skilled workers to live and work in regional NSW for 5 years.
Pathways to nomination include:
- Employed in regional NSW for 6+ months. To apply under this pathway, you must be currently working in a designated regional area of NSW and have continuously done so for the past six months.
- Invited by Investment NSW. To be considered for NSW nomination under Pathway 2 you must be skilled in an occupation that is included in the NSW Regional Skills List; and
- Graduated from a regional NSW institution in a related occupation within the last 2 years. To apply under this pathway, you must have completed a bachelor's degree or above from an institution located in a designated regional area of NSW.
Key Steps for Both Sc 190 and Sc 491 Visas
- Ensure you meet eligibility requirements before submitting your EOI in SkillSelect.
- Submit your EOI—remember, you can’t directly apply.
- If invited, respond within 14 days and support all claims with valid documents.
NSW considers multiple factors when selecting EOIs including age, English language proficiency, education, points score, and total years of skilled work experience. The highest ranking EOIs within an ANZSCO unit group are invited to apply.
Being invited to apply for NSW nomination is at the sole discretion of the NSW Government.
The date you submit or amend your SkillSelect EOI does not affect your likelihood of being invited.
Pro Tip: NSW nomination is highly competitive. We can help you consider other migration pathways alongside your EOI submission to keep your options open.
